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Water Rate Increase Takes Effect In March

The first of what are anticipated to be
annual water rate increases will go into effect in March of this year.

That, after Escalon City Council members
on Monday night, Jan. 6 approved the five-year plan to incrementally raise the
rates. City Manager Tammy Alcantor said the city did receive 22 letters
protesting the proposed rate hikes, but the number of protests was far below
the level required to block the city from enacting the increase.

Council members first looked at the revised
rate structure a few months ago and notices required under Prop 18 were sent
out to all those that will be affected by the rate hikes. The letters were sent
out in late November and went to both residential and industrial users, said
Alcantor. A listing of the new rates was included in that mailing.

“The council did adopt the proposed
schedule,” Alcantor said, but added that they want the issue brought back every
year prior to the next rate increase. That way, if officials determine the
increase is not needed, they can take steps to keep the rates steady.

So basically, officials said, it is a
five-year plan that was approved but with a review on an annual basis before
finalizing the changes.

“Next year prior to March 1 we will
bring it back to the council to approve,” Alcantor said.

Residents attending the meeting that
spoke on water issues on Monday night did not talk so much about the rate
increase as questioning the water quality and what steps the city is taking to
make improvements.

Alcantor said part of the reason behind
the rate hikes is the need for a replacement well, listed as Well 1A, which is
replacing the abandoned Well 1 on Roosevelt Avenue.

“We had to abandon that well due to the
high nitrate level,” Alcantor explained.

Some funding from the state is being
used for the new well and the rate hikes are part of the city’s effort to show
the rates can support the loan required to put the new well into operation.

That ability to support the loan was also
the driving force behind the rate study, which in turn resulted in the proposed
fees.

The new fees will also help with general
operations and capital improvements. In addition, the five-year plan includes
the possibility to connect to the surface water plant through SSJID and
replacement of some water lines in the city. Alcantor said the city will look
to upgrade security at its well sites; there are currently three operating
wells providing the city with its water supply.

Hansford Economic Consulting LLC out of
Truckee conducted the water rate study and the Monday night public hearing was
the final step prior to the council approving the study and its recommended
rate increases.